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The Whale is a "dramatic cantata" written by the English composer John Tavener in 1966. The work is loosely based on the biblical allegory of Jonah and the Whale, although Tavener admitted that "The 'fantasy' grew and perhaps at times nearly 'swallowed' the biblical text: so the swallowing of Jonah became almost 'literal' in the biblical sense."[1]
The Whale comprises three main sections: Opening (Biblical Narrative), Melodrama and Pantomime (Storm) and Prayer (In the belly of the Whale). It was premiered at a Proms concert on 1 August 1969, with the London Sinfonietta under David Atherton with soloists Anna Reynolds, Raimund Herincx, Alvar Liddell and the composer playing pipe and hammond organs. In July 1970, The Whale was recorded in Islington, London with the same musicians. It was released as an album by The Beatles' Apple Records label later that year.
The album was re-released in the mid-1970s on Ringo Starr's label, Ring'O Records, with a different cover.
[edit] References
- ^ Original liner notes
